Our team, whose usual day jobs include contracts, works and project management, operations, business development and marketing, grabbed their overalls and paint brushes and quickly got to work transforming the space.
Painting took place in the main hall, hallway and entrance way, improving the appearance of the centre for use as a community space and privately hired venue.
The renovations, organised by Calvin Howe, Social Responsibility Lead at VolkerFitzpatrick in collaboration with Jan Jones, one of Van Elle’s Business Development Managers, is the first phase of VolkerFitzpatrick’s wider social value plan for the area surrounding Brent Cross West Station.
We were pleased to work with them on Brent Cross West Station, during which our rail and specialist piling divisions installed more than 320 piles to support the foundations for the main station structure, as well as the new canopies and waiting shelter to the north and south of the larger concourse area.
Calvin Howe said: “Following a conversation with the local council, we were put in touch with Inass (the centre manager) and Danusia (a community partnership officer) and were impressed by what they are delivering from North Road Community Centre.
“Multiple charities and community groups make use of the centre to run activities which support vulnerable residents, including a food bank.
“The painting of the main hall, entrance and hallway is just phase one of our plan here, completed thanks to our supply chain partners at Van Elle and Mace. We will soon be back to work on the external areas of the centre and more projects in the area.”
Jan Jones said: “We’ve had a great day working alongside our colleagues from VolkerFitzpatrick and MACE.
“Together, a combined team of 12 have helped make improvements to the North Road Community Centre, for the benefit of local people and it was lovely to see how pleased Inass and her colleagues were when she saw the finished space.
“Though our infrastructure projects we regularly work closely with our customers to find out how else we can support the local community. From recruiting local operatives and using local suppliers to getting involved in activity like today, we’re always looking for ways to leave a positive legacy.”
“Thanks to Calvin and Ingesh from VolkerFitzpatrick, Mark from Mace and our team for their efforts today. The space certainly looks more inviting, just in time for Christmas events to take place.”
During the renovations, Councillor Sara Conway and members of the local Nepalese community (pictured above) stopped by to check on progress and talk to the team about the types of events held at the centre and the plans for the future.
For another recent example of our social value activity, read this story about our work in the community surrounding our A46 Binley Junction project.